An over under, also called a totals bet, asks whether both teams combined will score more or fewer points than a posted number. This guide explains the market mechanics, how sportsbooks set and adjust totals, and why operator house rules matter for settlement. The article is written for sports fans and prediction-minded readers who want practical checks and simple decision criteria. Read on to learn how to read prices, avoid common settlement surprises, and apply a short checklist before placing a totals bet.

An over under bet predicts whether the combined score will be above or below a posted line.

House rules control whether overtime, shortened games or cancellations change a totals settlement.

American-format prices like -110 or +100 show payout terms and implied probability.

What an over under bet means

Basic definition: over under

An over under bet, often called a totals wager, asks a bettor to predict whether the combined score of both teams will finish higher or lower than the sportsbook's posted total. Many operators treat an exact match to the posted number as a push and return stakes according to their published rules, so knowing that basic outcome is part of reading any totals market; for a clear definition see the Investopedia over and under explanation Investopedia over/under definition.

In practice the bettor chooses either the over or the under and risks a stake at the quoted price. The market does not require picking a winning team; it only requires forecasting the combined scoring outcome relative to the line. Totals are commonly labelled as "Totals" or "Over/Under" on betting menus, and that shorthand appears across desktop and mobile market screens.

To make the idea concrete, imagine a posted total of 48.5 in a football game. If the final combined score is 49 or more the over wins; if it is 48 or less the under wins. If a book posts a line without a half point and the game finishes exactly on the line many operators grade the market as a push, returning the stake per their house rules.

Beyond full-game markets, operators offer totals at many scopes, but the basic rule remains the same: the wager compares a final scoring tally to a posted number. For readers who convert prices or want to practice reading totals in a nonwagering environment, a simple calculator can be handy

Convert American odds to a basic payout estimate for a single stake

Use for quick checks

How settlement and house rules affect totals

Overtime and extra periods

Whether overtime counts toward a totals settlement is a rule defined by each operator and it can change the result of a bet; many sportsbooks set that policy in their general rules or help pages, so always confirm the text that applies to your market before wagering, for examples of operator rules see the DraftKings general rules pages DraftKings sportsbook rules.

Different operators can handle extra periods in different ways. Some count all official overtime scoring toward the settled total, while others may exclude certain types of extra periods depending on the sport or competition. When the margin between over and under is narrow, knowing the operator's overtime policy can be decisive.

House rules also specify how shortened or cancelled games are treated for totals. If a match is abandoned, called early for weather, or completed with less than a required minimum of play, an operator may void the market or settle it based on the score at abandonment according to published clauses; the exact approach is described in a sportsbook's house rules and varies between providers, as illustrated in typical help center rules FanDuel sportsbook house rules.

Because treatments differ, bettors who assume a universal standard risk surprises. A safe routine is to check the book's rule language on cancellations and minimum play time before committing stake, especially for outdoor sports where weather-related interruptions are more common.

Pricing, pushes and how odds are shown

American odds format

Odds on over and under markets in the U.S. are commonly displayed in American format, like -110 or +100, which indicate price and payout for that side; a basic primer on these conventions and their use in totals markets is available from industry resources that explain American odds and totals pricing Investopedia over/under definition.

In plain terms a negative price such as -110 means you must stake 110 to win 100 of profit, while a positive price such as +100 means a 100 stake wins 100 of profit. Books include a margin, or vig, in these prices so the two sides seldom translate to perfect fair probabilities.

When the number moves vs when the price moves

Sportsbooks may adjust the posted total number or change the prices on each side as new information arrives or money flows in; moving the line is a straightforward way to rebalance liability, while changing prices alters the economic incentive for bettors without changing the posted target, and these tactics are part of normal market management described in industry guides Pinnacle totals betting guide.

Prices on the over and the under can diverge independently as the market updates. That divergence can create small opportunities when a bettor thinks the posted number misstates expected scoring or when market action pushes the price away from fair value.

Operator rules you should check before wagering

Where to find the rules

Most regulated operators publish a help center or general rules document that covers settlement clauses for common markets such as totals; these pages are usually linked from a site's footer or the sportsbook help menu and should be the first stop when verifying how a bet will be judged.

Search for headings like "Sportsbook General Rules," "Market Settlement," or "Game Cancellation and Postponement" to find the applicable language. If the wording is unclear, contact the operator's support team for clarification before placing money, and keep a screenshot or link to the rule text you relied on.

Explore FundedPlays Challenges to practice totals strategy

Please read the sportsbook or operator rules relevant to totals bets before you wager, and confirm the provider's overtime and cancellation policies for the specific market you plan to use.

View Challenges

Common settlement clauses to watch for

Key clauses to scan include overtime treatment, minimum play time required for a settlement, and any explicit void or postponement language. Operators also note when a market is considered live versus final, which matters for in-play totals that settle on a different schedule.

Jurisdictional regulation can influence how detailed and transparent these rules are. For example, U.S. regulators and industry bodies have encouraged clearer published rules in recent years, so licensed operators often provide explicit settlement wording for totals and other common markets, which makes it easier for bettors to verify outcomes.

Types of totals markets and where they appear

Full-game totals vs segmented totals

Totals are offered for full games and for segments such as first halves, quarters, or periods; each segment market is settled according to its own rules and may use different timing for when a result is final. Industry resources describe these segmented markets and their settlement practices in detail Pinnacle totals betting guide.

Segmented totals are useful for bettors who prefer a shorter time frame and can reduce exposure to late-game anomalies, but they require careful reading of the market terms because the operator may require a minimum amount of play within the segment for a valid settlement.

Funded Plays Challenges

View Challenges

In-play totals

Live, in-play totals are common in modern markets and update as the game progresses; they often use a faster cadence for price updates and may have special settlement timing noted in the operator rules. Because live markets react to scoring and momentum, settlement terms for in-play bets merit separate attention.

When trading or testing totals strategy without financial risk, some users prefer simulation or challenge-style platforms that mirror market structures and allow practice; these environments can make it easier to learn how prices move and how settlement clauses apply in real time.

How to read and convert over under odds

Quick conversion rules

Converting American odds to an intuitive payout is straightforward: a negative price tells you how much to stake to win 100, while a positive price tells you how much you win on a 100 stake. Guides explaining these conversion rules and examples for totals are widely available for quick reference Investopedia over/under definition.

For a simple example, a -110 price means a 110 stake returns 210 in total, which is your original 110 stake plus 100 profit. At +120, a 100 stake returns 220 in total, which is the 100 stake plus 120 profit. These quick mental checks help you compare the economics of taking the over or the under when the posted number is close to your expectation.

Implied probability and edge

Implied probability is the conversion of price into the sportsbook's estimate expressed as a percentage. Because prices include a built-in margin, the sum of implied probabilities for both sides usually exceeds 100 percent; that excess reflects the book's vig. Pinnacle and other resources discuss how books use price setting and margins to manage edge and liability Pinnacle totals betting guide.

If you prefer not to calculate by hand, use a simple odds converter or the small calculator above to estimate payout and implied probability before placing a bet.

Minimalist 2D vector checklist with three icon panels representing check rules confirm overtime and verify market type in Funded Plays colors over under concept

If you prefer not to calculate by hand, use a simple odds converter or the small calculator above to estimate payout and implied probability before placing a bet.

Decision criteria and simple strategy for totals

When to pick the over or the under

Deciding between over and under comes down to estimating expected combined scoring and comparing it to the posted total. Core factors include team pace or tempo, injuries to scorers or defensive leaders, and venue or weather effects that can suppress or inflate scoring, considerations used by modelers and experienced bettors alike.

Sharp money and public action can each move the number or the price; a disciplined approach checks whether movement reflects new information you accept or simply market sentiment. Fund sizing and consistency matter more than chasing single lines, and confirming settlement rules should be part of your decision checklist.

How are over under totals settled when a game goes to overtime or is shortened?

Settlement depends on the operator's published house rules; some count overtime toward totals, others exclude it, and shortened or cancelled games may be voided or settled at abandonment depending on minimum play time clauses. Always verify the sportsbook's specific language before betting.

Role of pace, injuries and models

Team pace, meaning possessions per game in sports where it applies, is a primary driver of expected totals because more possessions usually mean more scoring opportunities. Injuries to key scorers or to primary defenders can shift expected totals materially, so recent lineup news is important. Models incorporate these factors and are one way to form an objective expectation that you can compare to a posted total.

A short decision flow is: form an expected combined score, compare it to the posted total, check whether the operator's settlement rules change how you view the market, and size the stake according to your plan and bankroll discipline. That simple framework helps keep choices consistent rather than emotional.

Common mistakes and settlement pitfalls

Assuming overtime always counts

One frequent error is assuming overtime always counts toward totals; because operator policies differ, this assumption can flip a winning position into a push or a loss if you did not verify the rule texts. Review the book's specific overtime language when markets are close and outcomes hinge on potential extra periods, as operator help pages typically describe these clauses DraftKings sportsbook rules.

Other mistakes include ignoring segmented market rules and not checking minimum play time clauses for shortened games. When a market appears to be settled incorrectly, gather screenshots and the applicable rule text and contact operator support for review; most licensed operators provide a dispute process in their rules.

Ignoring operator specific void rules

Void and postponement language matters. Some books void a market when a game does not reach a defined minimum completion threshold; others settle on the score at abandonment. If you place totals bets on events with weather or scheduling risk, check how voids and postponements are handled so you understand whether your stake will be returned or adjudicated.

Keeping a brief checklist before you confirm a totals bet reduces these errors: verify overtime treatment, minimum game duration for settlement, whether segmented markets have special rules, and the support channels in case you need clarification after settlement.

Practical examples and sample scenarios

Full-game totals example

Scenario one: a sportsbook posts a full-game total of 210.5 in basketball. The final score is 111-100 for a combined 211, so the over wins because 211 is greater than 210.5. If the book had posted 211.0 exactly and the final combined score was 211, the market would typically be a push and the stake returned according to the operator's push treatment rules; for a clear reference on basic outcomes see the Investopedia totals explanation Investopedia over/under definition.

In a different operator with explicit overtime exclusion, a game that finishes tied after regulation and is decided in extra periods might be treated differently, so the same raw scores can lead to different settled outcomes depending on the rule language.

First-half totals example

Scenario two: a first-half total of 48 is posted for a football game. At halftime the combined score is 24-24, totaling 48. If the operator treats a tie at the posted number as a push, stakes are returned. If in-play prices changed during the half and you placed a bet after a late score, your settlement still follows the market's defined rules for the first-half segment, not the full-game policy, so read segment-specific clauses to be sure.

An in-play example shows line and price movement without changing settlement mechanics: live markets adjust as scoring occurs, but the final settlement again depends on the specific market's rule text and whether overtime or extra periods are included for that segment.

Summary and responsible next steps

Quick checklist before placing a totals bet

Key takeaways: an over under is a wager on combined scoring versus a posted total, pushes are commonly returned per house rules, and operator settlement clauses determine whether overtime, shortened games or cancellations affect results. Published operator rules and regulatory guidance have increased transparency in recent years, but outcomes still depend on the operator's explicit language and your own verification process.

Before placing a totals bet, follow a short checklist: check settlement rules, confirm if overtime counts for your market, verify minimum play time clauses for shortened games, confirm the exact market type, and size your stake with disciplined risk management. Responsible participation and clear rule checks support consistent decision making and reduce surprises that come from differing house rules.

Does overtime usually count on totals bets?

It depends on the operator. Some books count overtime toward totals, others exclude it; always check the specific sportsbook's rules for that market.

What happens if a game is shortened or cancelled?

Settlement varies by operator: some void the market, others settle on the score at abandonment if minimum play time has been met; confirm the rule text before wagering.

How do I convert American odds like -110 to a payout?

A -110 price means staking 110 to win 100 profit; adding your stake back gives the total return. Use an odds converter for precise payout calculations.

Careful reading of operator rules and simple, repeatable decision steps reduce surprises when betting totals. Use the checklist in this guide to confirm settlement clauses before you wager and practice converting odds until the math becomes second nature.